It's not just spin, young all-rounder is the goods

NATHAN Sowter is playing for the NSW 2nd XI against Victoria at Blacktown International Sportspark this week.

The match started yesterday and is both confirmation it's considered the young legspinning all-rounder has a big future, and confirmation Blacktown can produce a cricketer, for Sowter is a local boy.

Blacktown have already made the quarter-finals of the Green Shield this season and are in the Poidevin Gray under-21 semi-finals.

The district can produce a cricketer, though that was long ago confirmed by the number of former juniors playing at other clubs, or at higher level.

But can the Warriors keep the new bunch?

Blacktown secretary and his former captain Matt Mortimer said Sowter had been 'Inundated with offers", but Mortimer was confident Sowter would stay a Warrior.

Sowter's representative recognition is good for the player and the club, but the offers illustrate Blacktown's vulnerability placed at the bottom, after making the first grade finals for the first time last season.

The state of the Joe McAleer wicket and its practice wickets has been cited as a factor in the slump.

Now Blacktown has further good news on top of the Sowter selection.

Mortimer has met Blacktown Council and the result is a new wicket will be laid down after the current first grade match against St George is completed.

Former Test opener Phil Jacques labelled the wicket the worst in Sydney after Sutherland's recent visit.

The scheduled last match of the season at the ground, featuring Warriors second grade, will be moved to Blacktown International Sportspark.

Blacktown captain Tony Clark said a change to the preparation of the practice wickets had already led to improved performances.

Clark was half-hoping the rain would cause the cancellation of the first day's play against St George on Saturday, with more than 20 players absent from the grade ranks.

"We'll have seven players under 21," he said before the game.

"We're not ready to win the comp," he said of the youthful group's lack of maturity, but predicts "it will happen sooner rather than later".

Perhaps quicker than he thought.

Clark won the toss against St George, sent them in and the formidable visitors were dismissed for 185.

Sowter took 3-25 and has 38 wickets for the season at 24 apiece and is closing on 500 runs with the bat.